Fluorescent Closet Light Fixtures

Light up your closet with slim profile fluorescent lights connected to a motion detector switch that activates the lights when you open the door. They’re also safer and have more flexible placement options than standard bulbs. The biggest challenge is finding a nearby power source without breaking into walls.

A fluorescent light solution for closets

The best lighting solution for a dark closet without lights is to mount a pair of fluorescent fixtures as low as possible on the wall over the door. This lights your clothes and shelving well and casts light into those shadowy areas along the floor.

Linear fluorescents have several advantages over conventional lightbulbs. The long tubes cast light more evenly over the length of the closet. The slim
profile lets you position them more easily in tight places, like over the door. The plastic cover on the “under-cabinet” or “closet” style shown protects them from bumps. They don't require an electrical box, so installation is easier. And the National Electrical Code allows more flexibility for their placement. NEC rules prohibit any fluorescent fixture mounted within 6 in. of the front edge of a shelf (measure from an invisible vertical
line extended directly above the shelf lip). Incandescent
fixtures must be at least 12 in. away. That much clearance
isn't possible in most closets.

We recommend an under-cabinet–type fixture that uses a T-8 (1-in.-diameter) bulb. Buy the longest fixture that meets the electrical code and fits over the door.
You can usually find the fixtures in 18-, 24- and 36-in. lengths at home centers ($20 to $40). For maximum light, simply join two fixtures end to end (opening photo) or even stack them on top of each other if your space is especially narrow.

Closet Light Wiring and Parts

The key elements of this system are the “undercabinet” or “closet” fluorescent light fixtures and the motion detector switch.
Tip: Look for a light fixture that has several “knockouts” (prepunched holes) to give you more options for connecting the new cable.

The best light switch for closets

The best (and coolest!) way to control
the light is with a motion detector mounted
in the ceiling. The light will come on
when you open the door or reach into the
closet. And it will automatically switch off.
Most under-cabinet fixtures have electronic
ballasts, so buy a motion switch
that works with electronic ballasts. They
cost about $55 at electrical supply stores.

Otherwise, you can mount a standard
switch in a box on the wall outside the
closet, or easier yet, mount a pull chain
switch (from hardware stores) on the fixture
itself. To center a pull chain switch in
the closet opening, join two fixtures with
a short length of conduit when mounting
them. You may have to drill a hole in the
fixture to mount the switch. You can also
order fixtures with pull chain switches
online (try lightingdirect.com)

The biggest challenges are finding a
power source and pulling a cable to the
new fixture position. If you have an open
area above the ceiling (attic shown here)
or below the floor (basement, crawl
space), you're in luck. You can generally
find a nearby junction box with power
and can run the new cable from there.
Then either drill down through the top
plates or up through the bottom plate and
“fish” in the new cable. If you don't have
open access from below or above, you'll
probably have to cut open a wall to reach
a junction box with power. If possible,
make that cut inside the closet; say, opposite
the junction box to an outlet in another
room. Then run the cable, making as
few wall cutouts as possible to get the
cable to the switch and fixture. If you keep
all cutouts inside the closet, you can more
easily hide the wall repairs.

The rules for closet lights are stringent.
Be sure to apply for an electrical permit so
an inspector will check your plan and
your work.